Community diabetes service

The Community Diabetes Service provides diabetes care and education for people living with diabetes, in the local community. Our diabetes specialist nurses also support GP practices to develop their skills to ensure that everyone receives high quality care.

Where possible, patients who are referred to see one of the specialist nurses will be seen in their GP practice with either their GP or practice nurse. Our aim is to see patients in the community nearer to their homes and to provide education and support in the management of diabetes.

Find out more about the services we provide by using the following links:

Dietetics Service

Three specialist dieticians are based within the Diabetes Centre at Mile End and provide our specialised diabetes dietetic service to residents of Tower Hamlets in both GP surgeries and the Diabetes Centre. They act as a key resource on nutritional and dietary related matters within the diabetes team. The diabetes specialist dieticians are state registered with the Health Professions Council and the British Dietetic Association.

Clinical psychologist

Our clinical psychologist who specialises in diabetes is registered with the Health Professions Council and is based at the Diabetes Care Centre at Mile End. The psychologist provides a service for people living with diabetes from Tower Hamlets.

Diabetes education programmes

X-PERT

X-PERT is a nationally recognised structured group education programme for people with type 2 diabetes. The programme is held for two and a half hours over six days, on consecutive weeks. The sessions are interactive and aim to help participants develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their diabetes and make informed decisions about their lifestyle. 

The service is available to people with type 2 diabetes living in Tower Hamlets, their relatives and carers. The sessions are delivered in English and in Bengali by the diabetes education team. Sessions are delivered in other languages subject to local demand.

Type 1 Diabetes Education (Daily Insulin Dose Adjustment to Nutrition and Activities)

We hold a group education programme for people with type 1 diabetes. The programme is held on four days over consecutive weeks. The aim of the programme is to equip participants with the skills needed to more accurately adjust their insulin dose to match their carbohydrate intake. This will enable those with type 1 diabetes to enjoy a more flexible and varied lifestyle, while still maintaining good blood glucose control.

DAFNE (Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating)

DAFNE is a group education programme for people with type 1 diabetes. The programme is held on four days over consecutive weeks. The aim of the programme is to equip participants with the skills needed to more accurately adjust their insulin dose to match their carbohydrate intake. This will enable those with type 1 diabetes to enjoy a more flexible and varied lifestyle, while still maintaining good blood glucose control.

CHO Counting (Carbohydrate Counting)

CHO Counting are ad hoc three hour group sessions are provided by our dietitians throughout the year for people with type 1 diabetes. These are for patients who are new to carbohydrate counting or for those who wish to refresh their skills. 
This service is available to people with type 1 diabetes living in Tower Hamlets, their relatives and carers.

Diabetes Nutrition Update for Healthcare Professionals

Four half day sessions are run twice yearly by the Dietitians for Healthcare Professionals with a special interest in diabetes working in Tower Hamlets. The aim is to ensure that staff provide their patients with diabetes with current, evidence based nutritional information.

Diabetic eye screening

All people with diabetes should have their eyes checked at the specialist retinal screening service each year. This is in addition to any checks that the patient may have at the opticians. Appointments are held at the Diabetes Centre at Mile End and The Royal London – your GP will refer you into the programme and they will then automatically receive follow-up appointments.

Who will I see?

The team is based at the Diabetes Centre, Mile End Hospital and comprises a community diabetes consultant, lead nurse, diabetes nurse specialists, diabetes educators (both Bengali and English speaking), dieticians, clinical psychologist, podiatrists, linkworkers and administrative staff.

Our retinal screening service is provided by staff from Moorfields’ Eye Hospital with support from staff from the ophthalmology department at The Royal London. We also have insulin pump clinics and host a glucose tolerance testing service.

Location of the Diabetes Services

All referrals should be returned to:

North East London Diabetes Eye Screening Programme

Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Homerton Row, London E9 6SR.

Tel: 020 8510 7611

Fax: 020 8510 5763

Email: eyescreening@nhs.net

Diabetes Services for clinicians

Patients can be referred for consultant led clinic via the e-referral service.

Diabetes service for DNS and Dietitian – Patients can be referred for Diabetes Nurses Specialist and Dietitian clinics using the Single Point of Access (SPA) form on EMIS.

Tel: 020 8223 8836

Email: bartshealth.diabetesadminteammeh@nhs.net or bartshealth.diabetesadminteamrlh@nhs.net

All referrals should be returned to:

North East London Diabetes Eye Screening Programme

Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Homerton Row, London E9 6SR.

Tel: 020 8510 7611

Fax: 020 8510 5763

Email: eyescreening@nhs.net

Useful websites